Page 127 of Unexpected Shot
“You can go ahead and try,” Chad says, way overconfidently. “My reputation speaks for itself.”
“Oh, fuck off!” Shelby yells.
Welp, there goes my plan of getting us out of here before Shelby goes Shelby on his ass. But you know what? Fuck it. I’m going to let my wife cook.
“Chad, with all due disrespect, fuck all the way off. The only reason I haven’t called your ass out publicly is because I’ve had better things to do with my time. You know, like actually fixing my swing. Being happy with Beau. Unlike you, who’s living a miserable excuse for a life where your only claim to fame is clout chasing and being the third wheel your literal entire fucking life. To be honest, I’m pretty sure if I asked any woman you’ve been with, they would confirm you’ve never made a woman come.”
It’s nearly impossible to hold back the laugh trying to escape, and I wind up snorting then coughing, struggling to keep it in. Because she’s not done. And I’m here for it.
“So, seriously, Chad”—the mockery in her voice and thesneer on her face when she says his name are classic Shelby—“fuck all the way off. You’re a leach. A miserable excuse for a human. Your entire personality is that you were once Beau Devereaux’s best friend. And you need to get the fuck out of our lives. Because we never, and I meannever ever, want to see or speak to you again.”
Holy shit…that was so fucking hot…
Shelby turns to look at me, and I’m pretty sure my jaw is touching the tops of my shoes. “What’s on the agenda today, husband?”
“Uh…” I stutter, because I’m trying to calm my dick down. “I…need to go to the bakery.”
“Great, let’s go.”
Shelby grabs her clubs, throws them over her shoulder, then grabs my hand and walks us back to the golf carts.
“I don’t know if this is the wrong time to say this, but you’ve never been hotter than you are right now.”
“Ah! Can you believe that guy!?”
Shelby is pacing around the kitchen, and has been since we got back from the driving range. Do I need to go to the bakery? Yes. Other than Poker Club, I haven’t been since Las Vegas, and that’s way too long for an owner not to check in on his store. Yes, Gabi has it under control, but I can’t help but feel guilty that I’ve put everything on her.
But I’m not leaving until I know Shelby isn’t going to punch a hole through my wall. At this point, I put the chances at fifty-fifty.
“Honestly, yes. Because he’s literally the worst person I know,” I say. “I can’t believe I was friends with him.”
She stops for the first time since we walked in the door, but only to give me an epic raised eyebrow. “Do we really want to get into a who-regrets-more game when it comes to Chad?Because guess what, Big Boy, I’m winning that one hands down.”
She’s right, but there’s no way I’m saying that out loud. Even on her nicest day, I’m a little scared of my wife. And right now? That’s grown to very scared.
“But you said what you needed to get off your chest,” I say, trying to block her from doing another lap around the kitchen island. “And let’s be real, it’s Chad. He’s all bark, very little bite. He’s probably at home crying right now.”
Shelby shakes her head. “I know, but…something feels off. The look he gave me before I walked away, it put me on edge. Like he has something up his sleeve.”
“And we can be on the lookout,” I say, rubbing her biceps in hopes of getting her to calm down. “But right this second? There’s nothing we can do.”
“Not a fan of that answer. And why are you the calm one about him? When did we Freaky Friday this?”
“Because I’ve realized he’s exactly what you said. He’s a little man who, at the end of the day, has no real leg to stand on.” I can’t help the evil-grin ghosting across my face. It’s the one I intend on wearing when we take Chad down. “Plus, while you were telling him off, I concocted a plan to try and expose whatever con he’s pulling. So when that happens, he’s going to be crying back to his daddy in Louisiana, and we’re never going to have to see him again.”
This helps her relax slightly. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” I say. “Now…can we please stop thinking about Chad?”
“Easier said than done,” she huffs, shrugging out of my touch to start pacing again. Not as furious as last time, but she’s still going at a brisk pace. “I just…ah!”
I intercept her mid turn around the island, and before she can stop me, I pick her up and sit her on the counter.
“Breathe, Belle.”
“Is this like some form of time out?”
“It can be.” I step in closer to her, spreading her legs to let me get as close as I can. “I’m just saying, if you need a way to take your mind off Chad, I have a few ideas.”
